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Bike Share

Bike share is a network of stations where bicycles are publicaly available for short-term rental.

From Pilot to Permanent Program

Rio Metro's Executive Board unanimously approved adding the bike share program under their management and growing the program beyond downtown Albuquerque. Rio Metro secured a federal grant to purchase the capital (bicycles/stations) and to help the program grow. Since then, Rio Metro has been working diligently with the community and local governments to extend the program beyond downtown for an anticipated early 2018 expansion. The expanded program will provide the community access to 250 bicycles and 50 stations. Under the current pilot program, there are 75 bicycles and 15 stations.

In order to make room for the new Pace bike share program, the existing fleet of 75 bicycles and 15 stations will be uninstalled starting January 15, 2018.

Pace Bike Share by Rio Metro

Pace is a new type of bike sharing that's just like riding your own bike. No membership fee - just $1 per 30 minutes. High-quality, smart bikes unlocked with a tap on your smartphone. And the freedom to start, hold, and end your ride at Pace racks or any public bike rack. Launching early Spring 2018! Stay tuned for additional information!

Bike Share 101

Bike share is a transit system that consists of a network of stations where bikes are publicly available for short-term rental. Bike share trips are typically short distances and a brief amount of time.

Bike share also complements existing public transit, providing the first and last mile of connectivity by filling in gaps where no other mode exists. Bike share is a healthy, sustainable, and affordable form of public transportation. Rio Metro uses Zagster's Pace Program for its bike share.

How Pace Works

Pace bike share is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Eligible participants must have a valid credit or debit card to become a member. Once a rider had downloaded the Pace app (Apple / Android), renting a bike is as easy as three simple steps:

1. BORROW

Find bikes near you in the Pace app. When you enter the bike number into the app on your mobile device, the lock will pop open. Unplug the security cable and hop on.

2. RIDE

Enjoy your ride! Select “Hold Bike” in the app if you’d like to keep your bike during a quick stop. Grab a coffee and your bike will wait.

3. RETURN

Park at your destination by locking to a Pace rack or any public bike rack. Push the back tire lock closed and secure with the cable.

end faq

History

Albuquerque’s downtown pilot bike share, BICI (a shortened version of bicicleta, the Spanish word for bicycle and pronounced “bee-see”), launched on National Bike to Work Day- May 15, 2015, with 15 stations and 75 bicycles. Through a creative partnership between the DowntownABQ MainStreet Initiative and the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG), and through public-private funding, Albuquerque was able to realize the first phase of BICI for residents and visitors. Since its launch, BICI has been a success and provides both residents and visitors another transportation mode for getting around downtown and beyond. This success is due in large part to community support - especially through local private businesses. Without the private business support on this great project, there would be no bike share. Importantly, because of this public private partnership downtown Albuquerque was able to demonstrate the need for this type of amenity not only in downtown, but other neighborhoods of the city.

Since then, Rio Metro has secured federal funds to grow the program, released and reviewed a request for proposals (RFP) from bike share vendors, and working with community groups, neighborhood associations, and local governments to grow the program.

BICI planners reviewed and analyzed the first two years of data from the pilot program. This infographic is a summary of the first two years of BICI data from May 15, 2015 to May 15, 2017. According to a 2014 MRCOG travel survey, 32% of all bicycles trips in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning Area (AMPA) are made by women. Yet interestingly, 53% of BICI users from the AMPA are women! BICI planners are interested in exploring this further with the expansion plans of BICI.

Sponsorship

While Rio Metro is thrilled to receive federal funds, it will not cover the cost of the entire system, so the expansion will build on the public private partnership model, which made the pilot program successful. The federal funds can only be used for capital and sponsorship funding will be used to help cover operations and maintenance costs.

A bike share sponsorship is not only like a roving billboard with your brand, but it’s a community amenity providing residents and tourists a healthy, sustainable, affordable, and FUN way of moving through our city. If you’re interested in receiving additional information about a sponsorship, please let us know!

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